The group accepted the report following a few amendments. The term destructive periodontal diseases was used throughout the session to differentiate the clinical situation from diseases such as gingivitis.

The group recognized that dental hygienists have a profound role as oral health promoters and educators. The focus arising in relation to the possible associations between destructive periodontal diseases and a number of systemic diseases and conditions, incorporated thoroughly into the dental hygienists curricula, could expand the preventive work into the area of general health. Dental hygienists have the advantage of meeting the patients often and on a regular basis, which allows dental hygienists to play an important role in improving both oral health and quality of life of their patients.